Nairobi MCAs set sight on impeaching Governor Sakaja amid wards’ frustration

Some Nairobi MCAs have threatened to push for the impeachment of Governor Johnson Sakaja, citing undisclosed grievances.

The issue was raised during an informal assembly convened by the speaker at City Hall early Tuesday, though details of the alleged complaints remain under wraps.

Critics, however, have questioned how the MCAs plan to move forward, given that the assembly is officially on recess.

The legislators are yet to draft the impeachment motion or collect the necessary signatures, with plans to discuss the process further during a retreat scheduled for next week.

Majority Whip Moses Ogeto (Kilimani Ward) explained that the gathering, known as the “speaker’s Kamkunji,” focused on members’ welfare and pressing issues.

“Any member is free to draft a motion and seek signatures to impeach the governor,” Ogeto said, without revealing the specifics of the grievances. He added that the charges against Sakaja are still under discussion, noting that almost 100 of the assembly’s 122 members attended Tuesday’s meeting.

Speaker Ken Ng’ondi confirmed that while impeachment was discussed, no formal action has been taken.

“You cannot stop any member from speaking in such a forum. Someone can even shout, 'Speaker Must Go.' However, when it comes to impeachment, there are procedures to be followed,” he said.

He further clarified that he could only comment on impeachment if a petition stating the grounds is officially submitted.

“An impeachment of a governor is not about a mob lynch but establishing grounds. After such a Kamkunji, any member can make a follow-up and draft a motion indicating the grounds,” Ng’ondi added.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai dismissed the impeachment threat, describing it as a tactic to pressure the governor. He linked the move to a dispute over a planned land subdivision, accusing some MCAs of trying to take control of plot allocation from the executive.

“The MCAs want to wrestle the role of allocating those plots from the executive. This is a plot to intimidate the governor to surrender that role. I don’t trust those MCAs who attended the meeting,” Alai said.

He also accused the assembly majority leadership of double standards, suggesting they had previously blocked similar motions without clearance from Raila Odinga.

South B MCA Waithera Chege indicated that MCAs will proceed with a retreat next week to finalize the impeachment motion.

“Today we had about 96 members and over; remember this assembly has 122 members, and therefore we are over and above the numbers required to impeach the governor and deputy,” she said.

She added that signature collection will continue, coordinated by the members themselves.

The political tension reflects growing frustration with Sakaja, as nearly 100 MCAs aired complaints over stalled projects, delayed bursaries, and the failure of the Ward Development Fund.

During the closed-door Kamkunji, legislators accused the governor of incompetence and being disconnected from both the assembly and residents.

“There are so many projects that have stalled within the wards, and the residents have been asking why those projects have not been completed,” Waithera said.

She also highlighted the failure to release bursary funds, adding that families were being unfairly affected by the delays.

“The members are also saying that the governor is not in touch, both with the people and with this assembly. He does not respond to members, and there is a clear breakdown in communication between the executive and the assembly,” she said.

Waithera also accused Sakaja of neglecting the Ward Development Fund and ignoring laws passed by the assembly.

The impeachment discussion will continue at the Naivasha retreat next week. Waithera said that the number of members required to initiate the process has already been met.

“Signature collection will start very soon, and all members are coordinated. We believe by next week we will be ready to execute,” she said.

The unrest has brought ODM and UDA MCAs together against the governor. Roysambu MCA Sospeter Wamumbi warned that members were prepared to act regardless of threats.

“Sisi kama waeshimiwa tumesema kama mtu amesimama kwa njia, iwe ni governor, CECM ama iwe nani tuko tiyari,” he said.

Translation: As honorable legislators, we have said that if someone stands in the way, be it the governor, CECM or whoever, we are ready.

Nairobi CBD MCA Mwaniki Kwenya criticized Sakaja for collaborating with political rivals, raising concerns ahead of the 2027 elections.

“How can the governor work with our opponents when he is supposed to coordinate development with us?” he asked.

This marks the third attempt to impeach Sakaja since he took office over two years ago.

Earlier bids were led by the late Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve and a public petition filed by former Korogocho MCA Maxwell Ochar.

The petition accuses Sakaja of gross misconduct, abuse of office, failing to implement county projects, and ignoring assembly resolutions.

Backed by Article 181 of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act, the petition also notes that the governor disregarded a 2019 gazette notice waiving rent arrears on county properties.